Steven Schumacher believes Wanderers have regained some of their swagger after making it four successive wins to keep leading the chasing pack in League One, writes Pete Oliver.
The Whites also made it a hat-trick of home wins – and five out of six in total – thanks to a thrilling 3-2 success against Barnsley.
Schumacher’s men conceded twice in the second half to make life trickier than it might have been. But the boss was still happy with the outcome after seeing his new-look side race into a three-goal lead at half-time on the back of some outstanding attacking football.
“I felt we played some really good stuff at times. We looked dangerous and could have scored more than three. Some of our play, especially in the first half, was excellent,” said Schumacher.
“At the very start of the second half we had a couple of chances to kill the game off and then we've had a 10-minute spell where a deflection goes in for them and another ball bounces round the box and falls to them and all of a sudden it's game on.
“So from what looked really comfortable, we've had to dig in and scrap it out but, again, I think the lads did really well to see that last 10-15 minutes out and it's another huge three points, so I’m delighted.”
In-form striker Sam Dalby led the victory charge with his second double in three games as he continues to blossom with the Whites before John McAtee netted against his former loan club for the second time this season.
January signings Corey Blackett-Taylor and Rob Apter have also brought a new dimension to Wanderers’ attacking play and the Whites can now set their sights on trying to trim second-placed Lincoln City’s six-point lead in the automatic promotion race when they go to Sincil Bank next Saturday, when Josh Sheehan and deadline-day signing Johnny Kenny could be available.
“I know the top two have won again today, but it doesn't really matter,” Schumacher told Wanderers TV. “We've just got to keep doing what we're doing. We feel as though we're getting a little bit of swagger back, which is good.
“Confidence looked good today and the fans were excellent today, I must say. They were really loud and got behind the team, especially in that first half. They were brilliant and in the second half they stuck with us and in the end they enjoyed the day.
“There were some good performances in there – and some tired bodies – and we’ll forward to a huge game next weekend. We know what we've got about us and if we can play to the level that we think we can get to we’re a match for any team.
“Going to Lincoln at the moment is probably one of the hardest games you can get. They've only lost once at home all season, same as us, so, yes, it will be a good game and we have to make sure that we prepare right for it.”
Watch the full post-match interview with the boss on Wanderers TV